Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Four Individuals Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining Government Contracts Intended for Disadvantaged Small Business OwnersRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Scott E. Boone, age 51, of Enola, PA, Daniel E. McGuire, age 60, of Landisville, PA, Thomas E. Lauer, age 60, of Butler, PA, and Rebecca J. Davis, age 73, of Bethel Park, PA, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on six counts of violating the Major Fraud Act and two counts of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit violations of the Major Fraud Act.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between 2003 and 2014, all four defendants conspired to obtain and did obtain federal government contracts reserved for companies run by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. This program required socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to exercise unconditional control over their own companies. It also required these companies to commit to performing at least 15% of the cost of any contract with their own employees. When companies met these criteria, they could enter the program for a period of up to nine years and then bid on contracts reserved for companies in the 8(a) Program. These reserved contracting opportunities are often referred to as “set-aside” contracts.
Rebecca J. Davis was the president of a company called Elstner Construction Company. Davis and her company were admitted to the SBA’s 8(a) Program in 2001. Starting around 2007, she and the other defendants allegedly began conspiring to get construction contracts at Letterkenny Army Depot, a facility under the command structure of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, that were set aside for 8(a) Program participants. With the assistance of an unnamed government official working at Letterkenny Army Depot, these four individuals allegedly obtained contracts on which Davis and her existing employees played no meaningful role. Instead, Boone, McGuire, and Lauer allegedly ran all of the contract work, and Davis’s role was allegedly limited to signing checks for vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors. According to the indictment, Davis was rarely, if ever, present at Letterkenny Army Depot following an initial meeting with her codefendants and the unnamed government official in 2007.
In order to make it appear falsely that Elstner Construction was meeting the 15% self-performance requirement, she and the other defendants allegedly moved actual laborers who were on site at Letterkenny Army Depot onto the Elstner Construction payroll. The unnamed government official assisting them to secure contracts was allegedly aware of this practice and, more generally, was aware that Davis and her existing employees were not performing on-site work.
The indictment also alleges that the unnamed government official provided Boone with confidential information in an effort to assist the four defendants, acting through Elstner Construction, to win a $60 million construction contract in 2009.
The indictment alleges that the four defendants together obtained approximately $85 million in construction contracts at Letterkenny Army Depot through fraudulent means. The indictment contains forfeiture allegations against the four defendants seeking the same amount.
In addition, three defendants—Boone, McGuire, and Lauer—were indicted for conspiring to obtain and obtaining a contract at the VA Medical Center in Salem, Virginia worth approximately $5.3 million through fraudulent means. Boone, McGuire, and Lauer were able to obtain this contract because Boone qualified for a different small business development program focused on service-disabled veteran owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). Boone’s SDVOSB, Bon Secour Management, allegedly obtained this contract and then moved employees of an electrical subcontractor onto its payroll in order to make it appear that Bon Secour was complying with its own similar requirement to perform at least 15% of the labor under the contract with its own employees.
The indictment contains forfeiture allegations seeking approximately $5.3 million from Boone, McGuire, and Lauer, in addition to the approximately $85 million in forfeiture alleged against all four defendants.
“Investigating schemes that undermine the integrity of Department of Defense (DoD) procurement is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to work with the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to ensure that the contracting process for legitimate small businesses remains fair and competitive, and that individuals who abuse set-aside programs are held accountable.”
“We are very pleased with today’s announcement,” said Special Agent in Charge L. Scott Moreland, of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office. “This is a true testament to the continued commitment of our special agents to work seamlessly with Department of Justice and our fellow law enforcement agencies to bring to justice those who attempt to defraud the U.S. Government and U.S. Army.”
“These allegations of conspiring to gain federal contracts set aside for service-disabled veterans are something the VA Office of Inspector General investigates very vigorously,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “VA OIG is committed to identifying and stopping those individuals who would misuse an opportunity meant solely for our nation’s veterans with disabilities. We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice, and our law enforcement partners for their work leading to today’s charges.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for violations of the Major Fraud Act is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty under federal law for conspiracy is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Wilkes-Barre Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ernesto Richards, age 36, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was charged yesterday by a federal grand jury with narcotics trafficking, firearms, and false statement offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Richards conspired to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine in Luzerne County between February and September 2022. During that time, it is alleged that Richards also conspired to import cocaine from foreign countries, and possessed firearms, including a stolen firearm, in relation to his drug trafficking activities. In addition to being charged with a narcotics conspiracy, Richards also was charged with three counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. Richards further was charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities, and with possessing firearms and ammunition despite being prohibited as a convicted felon. Richards was also charged with lying to federal agents about his drug trafficking activities.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The penalties under federal law for the most serious narcotics charges are a minimum of five years and maximum 40-year term of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The most serious firearms charge carries a mandatory five-year term of imprisonment and maximum term of life, to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The false statement charges carry up to a five-year term of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Schuylkill County Man Charged with Methamphetamine and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on December 13, 2022, John Bartel, age 63, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment charges Bartel with possession with intent to distribute more than fifty grams of methamphetamine and an additional amount of fentanyl, on August 3, 2022, in Schuylkill County.
The investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide
epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit opioid trafficking offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum sentence under federal law is up to forty years in prison, a term of supervised release and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Lebanon Man Indicted on Attempted Child Enticement ChargeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mason Morey, age 26, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on a charge of attempted online enticement.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between November 28, 2022 and December 8, 2022, in Luzerne County, Morey used the internet to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Former Government Official Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud Government Program for Disadvantaged Small Business OwnersRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on December 8, 2022, James A. Coccagna, age 67, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Martin C. Carlson to a criminal information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit violations of the Major Fraud Act.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between 2003 and 2014, Coccagna, then Chief of the Engineering and Planning Division in the Directorate of Public Works at Letterkenny Army Depot, in Chambersburg, worked with a number of unnamed coconspirators to defeat the rules and purpose of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. Coccagna admitted to steering federal government contracts to certain participants in the 8(a) Program, knowing that those companies and their existing employees, if any, were not playing any meaningful role in performing contracts awarded to them.
The 8(a) Program requires socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to exercise unconditional control over their own companies. It also requires these companies to commit to performing at least 15% of the cost of any contract with their own employees. When companies meet these criteria, they can enter the 8(a) Program for a period of up to nine years and then bid on contracts reserved for companies in the 8(a) Program. These reserved contracting opportunities are often referred to as “set-aside” contracts.
Coccagna admitted to conspiring with three individuals who worked in the field of construction—known in the information as coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3—to get set-aside contracts at Letterkenny awarded to a series of 8(a) Program participants controlled by the three unnamed individuals. These 8(a) Program participants included a company known as 8(A) company 1, which was affiliated with another unnamed individual known as coconspirator 4 in the information.
Starting around 2007, Coccagna and coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 began conspiring to obtain 8(a) Program set-aside construction contracts at Letterkenny Army Depot, a facility under the command structure of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command. Coccagna recommended that the Letterkenny contracting office select 8(A) company 1 for a series of contracts because he knew of 8(a) company 1’s affiliation with coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3. Coccagna made similar recommendations for several other 8(a) Program participants, likewise on the basis of their affiliation with coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3.
In order to make it appear falsely that 8(A) company 1 was meeting the 15% self-performance requirement, coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 moved actual laborers who were on site at Letterkenny Army Depot onto the 8(A) company 1 payroll. This same practice was also carried out with the other unnamed 8(a) Program participants dating back to 2003. Coccagna was aware of this practice and, more generally, was aware that coconspirator 4 and her existing employees, if any, were not performing on-site work. Furthermore, coconspirator 4 was rarely, if ever, present at Letterkenny Army Depot following an initial meeting with Coccagna and the other unnamed conspirators in 2007.
For several years starting around 2007, coconspirators 1, 2, and 3 were simultaneously affiliated with both 8(A) company 1 and one of the other 8(a) Program companies. Their representations about which company they were affiliated with depended on which contract a job fell under. From Coccagna’s perspective, however, the day-to-day performance of the work was unaffected by which company’s name coconspirators 1, 2, and 3 were operating under.
Coccagna also admitted that coconspirator 1 solicited, and Coccagna unlawfully provided to coconspirator 1, confidential information in order to help coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 win a $60 million construction contract in 2009.
The total value of the contracts associated with this conspiracy exceeded $100 million. Coccagna understood that there was a financial benefit to the individuals who were, on paper, the heads of the various 8(a) Program participants to which he steered maintenance and construction contracts, such as coconspirator 4.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for conspiracy is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Pike County Physician Convicted for Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substances Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Martin Evers, age 64, of Pike County, Pennsylvania, was found guilty on December 5, 2022, for unlawfully distributing controlled substances resulting in death, after a three-week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Evers was found guilty on 71 counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances, as charged in the superseding indictment. The counts involved the unlawful distribution of oxycodone, fentanyl and methadone, all Schedule II controlled substances, and diazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance. One of the counts of which Evers was convicted involved the unlawful distribution of oxycodone and fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 48-year-old Monroe County woman on February 11, 2019.
During the three-week trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented the testimony from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Diversion Division, six pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions issued by Evers, a Walmart Global Investigations witness who offered testimony related to Walmart’s issuance of a nationwide ban for filling all narcotic prescriptions issued by Evers, an expert on pain medicine, an expert toxicologist, an expert pathologist, a Pennsylvania State Police Officer, and a witness from the Monroe County Coroner’s Office.
Evers was an employee of the Bon Secours Charity Health System and practiced as a primary care physician in Milford, Pennsylvania. He was licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and authorized to prescribe controlled substances for legitimate medical purposes and in the usual course of professional practice. His medical license was suspended on September 4, 2019.
The jury found that Evers repeatedly prescribed oxycodone and other opioids outside the usual course of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purposes and as a result, addiction and death occurred.
After the jury’s verdict, prosecutors asked that Evers be immediately detained pending sentencing. Judge Mariani ordered Evers detained.
The two-year long investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its Diversion Division, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Olshefski and Jenny Robert prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin and other opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin and opioid traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit opioid trafficking offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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Native of Mexico Indicted on Illegal Reentry ChargeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Juan Carlso Flores-Ramirez, age 34, of Mexico, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on a charge of illegal reentry.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Flores-Ramirez was removed from the United States on or about August 10, 2012, through Hidalgo, Texas, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so. The indictment also alleges that on November 4, 2022, Flores-Ramirez was encountered in Juniata County, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime M. Keating is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Luzerne County Man Charged with Covid-Relief Fraud, Credit Card Fraud, and Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Reynard Lewis, age 29, formerly of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was charged on December 6, 2022, by a federal grand jury with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, identification and access device, and false statement offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Lewis and his coconspirators used stolen identities to create forged identification documents and credit and debit cards. The conspirators used those forged items and stolen identities to open bank accounts, apply for lines of credit, and obtain retail merchandise. The conspirators also used the stolen identities to apply for multiple COVID-19 pandemic relief loans issued under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including by submitted false federal tax documentation. The conspirators allegedly received over $100,000 in pandemic stimulus funds.
The PPP is designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the March 2020 CARES Act, PPP funds are offered in forgivable loans, provided that certain criteria are met, including use of the funds for employee payroll, mortgage interest, lease, and utilities expenses.
Lewis previously was charged in a criminal complaint and arrested on September 16, 2022. He has remained in detention since his arrest. Lewis’s alleged coconspirator, Robert Brownstein, age 51, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was previously charged in a criminal information with wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Pottsville Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the most serious offenses is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The aggravated identity theft offenses carry a mandatory two-year sentence of imprisonment that is to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Pottsville Man Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on December 2, 2022, Casian Amir Jackson-Flowers, age 22, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Jackson-Flowers previously pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and 40 grams and more of fentanyl, as well as possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. On October 2, 2021, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Jackson-Flowers possessed approximately 158 grams of methamphetamine, 111 grams of fentanyl, and 53 grams of marijuana in a bookbag which he threw away while being chased by officers of the Pottsville Police Department. Jackson-Flowers also possessed a 9mm Ruger P89 pistol with an obliterated serial number which was recovered in a backyard near where he was observed fleeing from the police.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office, and the Pottsville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Berwick Man Sentenced to 66 Months’ Imprisonment for Possessing Firearms as A Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cody Drumheller, age 28, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on December 2, 2022, to 66 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann for possessing firearms as a convicted felon.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in July 2021, Drumheller possessed a stolen 9mm handgun and two sawed-off 12-gauge shotguns, in Berwick, Pennsylvania. Drumheller is prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior convictions.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Inmate Charged with Possessing A Prohibited ObjectRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alex Ulloa, age 46, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute-Schuylkill, Minersville, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information for unlawfully possessing a prohibited object.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that on September 9, 2022, Ulloa possessed a Samsung cellphone. Federal law makes the possession of cell phones by an inmate in prison illegal out of security concerns that arise from unmonitored calls.
The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Federal Bureau of Investigations. United States Attorney Sean A. Camoni is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is one year of imprisonment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Former Government Official Charged in Conspiracy to Defraud Government Program for Disadvantaged Small Business OwnersRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James A. Coccagna, age 67, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information on one count of conspiracy to commit violations of the Major Fraud Act.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between 2003 and 2014, Coccagna, then Chief of the Engineering and Planning Division in the Directorate of Public Works at Letterkenny Army Depot, in Chambersburg, worked with a number of unnamed coconspirators to defeat the rules and purpose of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. It is alleged that Coccagna steered federal government contracts to certain participants in the 8(a) Program, knowing that those companies and their existing employees, if any, were not playing any meaningful role in performing contracts awarded to them.
The 8(a) Program requires socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to exercise unconditional control over their own companies. It also requires these companies to commit to performing at least 15% of the cost of any contract with their own employees. When companies meet these criteria, they can enter the 8(a) Program for a period of up to nine years and then bid on contracts reserved for companies in the 8(a) Program. These reserved contracting opportunities are often referred to as “set-aside” contracts.
The information alleges that for over a decade Coccagna conspired with three individuals who worked in the field of construction—known in the information as coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3—to get set-aside contracts at Letterkenny awarded to a series of 8(a) Program participants controlled by the three unnamed individuals. These 8(a) Program participants included a company known as 8(A) company 1, which was affiliated with another unnamed individual known as coconspirator 4 in the information.
Starting around 2007, it is alleged that Coccagna and coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 began conspiring to obtain 8(a) Program set-aside construction contracts at Letterkenny Army Depot, a facility under the command structure of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command. Coccagna allegedly recommended that the Letterkenny contracting office select 8(A) company 1 for a series of contracts because he knew of 8(a) company 1’s affiliation with coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3. It is furthermore alleged that Coccagna made similar recommendations for several other 8(a) Program participants, likewise on the basis of their affiliation with coconspirator 1, coconspirator 2, and coconspirator 3.
In order to make it appear falsely that 8(A) company 1 was meeting the 15% self-performance requirement, coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 allegedly moved actual laborers who were on site at Letterkenny Army Depot onto the 8(A) company 1 payroll. This same practice was allegedly carried out with the other unnamed 8(a) Program participants dating back to 2003.
It is alleged that Coccagna was aware of this practice and, more generally, was aware that coconspirator 4 and her existing employees, if any, were not performing on-site work. It is furthermore alleged that coconspirator 4 was rarely, if ever, present at Letterkenny Army Depot following an initial meeting with Coccagna and the other unnamed conspirators in 2007.
The information also alleges that coconspirator 1 solicited, and Coccagna provided, confidential information to coconspirator 1 in order to help coconspirators 1, 2, 3, and 4 win a $60 million construction contract in 2009. The total value of the contracts associated with this alleged conspiracy exceeded $100 million.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for conspiracy is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Montour County Man Sentenced to 210 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 29, 2022, James Edward King, III, age 45, of Danville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann, to 210 months’ imprisonment for methamphetamine trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, King was convicted on July 21, 2022, of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. The investigation began based on information that King and his codefendant, Christopher Lee Brown, age 42, of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, were having a large quantity of methamphetamine delivered through UPS to Union County, Pennsylvania, for distribution. The Pennsylvania State Police intercepted the shipment and arrested both King and Brown.
On June 16, 2022, Brown pleaded guilty, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams and more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Brown is awaiting sentencing.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaime Keating and Alisan Martin are prosecuting the case.
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Medical Doctor to Pay $86,506.30 to Resolve Civil Liability for Alleged Violations of the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dr. Musaddiq Nazeeri, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay the United States $86,506.30 to resolve civil liability for alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
According to the United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, between February 10, 2021 and January 21, 2022, Dr. Nazeeri billed Medicare for certain services that were not supported by the medical record. During the above timeframe, Dr. Nazeeri submitted Evaluation & Management (E&M) claims when the only service rendered was the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is those type claims that were not supported by the medical record. Dr. Nazeeri cooperated with the investigation.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to combatting fraud and abuse impacting taxpayer-funded programs,” said United States Attorney Karam. “We use every tool at our disposal to do so, and this resolution reflects that commitment.”
“Investigating violations of the False Claims Act is a top priority,” said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure the integrity of the Medicare program.”
This Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by Dr. Nazeeri nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney, Tamara Haken, and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Previously Deported Dominican National Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Illegal Reentry Following Removal for an Aggravated FelonyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Tomi Moscat-Lara, age 44, a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 18 months’ imprisonment, for illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed following conviction for a felony offense.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in April of 2013, while residing in this country without legal status, Moscat-Lara was convicted of a cocaine trafficking offense. After serving a 12-to-24-month county prison sentence for that offense, Moscat-Lara was deported. Sometime thereafter, Moscat-Lara unlawfully reentered the United States, and on January 14, 2021, he was arrested in Luzerne County and charged with cocaine and fentanyl trafficking. Following a guilty plea in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas to those charges, he was sentenced to a three-to-six-year imprisonment term.
Lara was charged with the illegal reentry offense in federal court. He pleaded guilty to that offense. Following the conclusion of his 18-month federal sentence imposed by Judge Mannion, Muscat-Lara will face deportation.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
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Tobyhanna Man Charged with Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Darius Jamal Scott, age 45, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking offenses involving heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that from approximately April 2022 until June 15, 2022, Scott conspired with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in the Monroe County area.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations (BNI). Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case is also being brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 40 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Philadelphia Woman Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Pandemic Unemployment FraudRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alexis Figueroa, age 32, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to steal pandemic funds. She was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Figueroa pled guilty to conspiring with five others to file false claims for unemployment assistance during the pandemic. These defendants gathered personal identification information from inmates housed within the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections system and filed unemployment claims. The payments were mailed to particular addresses in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, where the funds were accessed. The conspirators arranged for the payment of approximately $94,000 in benefits which they were not entitled to obtain.
Andrew Marszalek, age 24, of New Cumberland, entered a guilty plea to the fraud conspiracy. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Nicholas Baggio, age 32, an inmate at the State Correctional Institution at Mahanoy, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He was sentenced to one year and day in prison. Jeovanny Shultz, age 28, an inmate at the State Correctional Institution at Mercer, entered a guilty plea and is awaiting sentencing. Oscar Martinez, age 30, an inmate at State Correctional Institution at Rockview, has also entered a guilty plea and is awaiting sentencing.
Joshua Powles, age 33, of Philadelphia, is wanted as a fugitive.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Al-Salaam I. Hale, age 46, of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for distributing heroin.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hale was intercepted during a DEA wire investigation communicating with coconspirators regarding heroin trafficking in the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania area. Hale also sold heroin to a confidential informant who was working with agents as part of the investigation. The investigation determined that Hale was responsible for distributing between 100 and 400 grams of heroin.
The DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley was the prosecutor.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun
violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Dominican Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Evading Tobacco Excise TaxesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jose Dominguez, age 58, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 18 months’ imprisonment for conspiring to evade federal excise taxes on imported large cigars. Dominguez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Dominguez owned and operated the Dominican-based cigar manufacturer Victor Sinclair Cigars. Dominguez previously admitted that he conspired to evade the excise taxes imposed on the importation of Victor Sinclair manufactured cigars from 2009 to 2012. Dominguez’s co-conspirators included his U.S. importers, Donna Venturini and Hope Carbone, both of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. During the conspiracy, Dominguez, Venturini, and Carbone collected approximately $3.9 million in excise taxes from U.S. purchasers of Victor Sinclair manufactured cigars. By using fraudulent invoices, the co-conspirators paid only approximately $2.1 million to the government, unlawfully retaining approximately $1.8 million for themselves. As part of his sentence, Dominguez was ordered to pay restitution.
Venturini and Carbone also pleaded guilty. They were sentenced to two years of probation in August 2022.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Department of Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlo D. Marchioli, Joseph J. Terz, and Michael A. Consiglio prosecuted the case.
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Maryland Livestock Brokers Sentenced to 30 Months’ Imprisonment for Exporting Dairy Cattle Through Fraudulent Health CertificatesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 17, 2022, Daniel Gutman, age 40, and Benjamin Gutman, age 40. both residents of Maryland, were each sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 30 months in prison for a conspiracy to defraud and commit offenses against the United States. Collectively, they were ordered to pay $1,938,646.42 in fines and forfeiture.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Daniel Gutman and Benjamin Gutman are brothers who own and operate a livestock exporting business known as Gutman Brothers Dairy Cattle (“Gutman Brothers”), with operations in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Federal law requires cattle transported in interstate and foreign commerce to be tested for certain diseases prior to shipment, including Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Leucosis, and Bovine Viral Diarrhea. The United States Department of Agriculture certifies that U.S. agricultural and food products shipped to international markets meet both U.S. and foreign requirements. When it comes to dairy cattle, this process relies upon the services of USDA-accredited veterinarians and the animal exporters to whom these veterinarians provide services.
The USDA’s investigation revealed that Daniel Gutman and Benjamin Gutman, with the assistance of Dr. Donald Yorlets, a USDA-accredited veterinarian, conspired to carry out a scheme to defraud foreign customers and the USDA. They did so by submitting non-authentic, bovine blood samples for the detection of disease to a USDA-accredited testing laboratory located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and by issuing false and fraudulent health certificates for the untested animals. In addition, Yorlets also falsely claimed in health certificates that cattle had tested negative for Bovine Tuberculosis when, in fact, the required caudal skin fold test had not been administered. Furthermore, Yorlets submitted these false and fraudulent health certificates to a USDA Veterinary Services Endorsement Office. The USDA’s endorsement of these health certificates permitted dairy cattle to be shipped in interstate and foreign commerce.
Yorlets signed international health certificates for Gutman Brothers dating back to 2014. With his assistance, Daniel and Benjamin Gutman shipped close to 20,000 head of dairy cattle to buyers in foreign countries, making millions of dollars in profits.
Previously, Daniel and Benjamin Gutman pleaded guilty conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with the scheme. Likewise, on August 31, 2020, Yorlets pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Yorlets currently awaits sentencing.
“Trade and commerce with our foreign and domestic partners require that all parties conduct themselves in a fair, legal, and transparent manner. Without trust in the system, there can be no trade. The Gutman brothers have broken this trust and damaged relations with our partners," said William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of HSI’s Philadelphia office. “Thankfully, special agents with HSI and the USDA who focus on trade-based investigations were able to uncover this criminal conspiracy that impacted both the United States and our partner nations.”
“We appreciate the ongoing commitment and concerted efforts of our law enforcement partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Investigative and Enforcement Services to investigate a long running scheme affecting the exportation of healthy animals from the U.S. and the illegitimate issuance of required health certificates based on fraudulent test results” said Special Agent-in-Charge Bethanne M. Dinkins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “In order to ensure integrity in international commerce, USDA, OIG will continue to dedicate resources and prioritize work that disincentivizes those who seek to take short cuts in order to increase their own profit margins while at the same time demeaning the value and safety of American agricultural products.”
The case was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ravi Romel Sharma and Philip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case. Now retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel previously worked on the case. Assistance was provided by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attaché for Qatar and Kuwait.
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Fayette County Attorney Sentenced to Probation with Home Detention for Defrauding ClientsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 16, 2022, John William “JW” Eddy, age 40, of Fayette County, Pennsylvania was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to five years of probation, including 21 months of home detention with electronic monitoring, for misappropriating funds from clients of his law practice between 2016 and 2020.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Eddy ran a private law practice, Eddy Law Office. As an attorney representing members of the public in the practice of law, Eddy was required to maintain a trust account for client funds, also known as an Interest on Lawyer Trust Account or “IOLTA.” This account was to be used for the securing of client funds, such as proceeds from legal settlements, fees advanced for services not yet performed, or money for court fees. Eddy admitted that between 2016 and 2020 he misappropriated $242,975.89 of client funds entrusted to him.
Eddy pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on February 9, 2022. Prior to his guilty plea, Eddy made full restitution to his victims in the amount of $242,975.89, equal to the amount of client funds that he misappropriated.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney Karam Launches United Against Hate InitiativeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam today announced his office’s participation in the Department of Justice’s new initiative to better counter hate crimes and hate incidents in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The Middle District of Pennsylvania was one of the first of 16 U.S. Attorney Offices to launch the United Against Hate program. The United Against Hate initiative seeks to strengthen collaborative relationships of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with communities in order to build trust and encourage the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents. As part of the initiative, U.S. Attorney Karam hosted a meeting yesterday with an audience of various law enforcement agencies and community leaders from across the mid-state.
“The foundation of our democracy seeks for us all to have equal protection and opportunities under the law,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “With the rising number of crimes occurring because of someone’s skin color, the faith they practice, who they love, or because they have a disability, we recognize the need to reach out to our community leaders and our state and local law enforcement colleagues to develop a partnership to combat acts of hate. Through the United Against Hate initiative, we have combined the strengths of law enforcement with community leaders to identify, report, investigate, and prosecute hate crimes.”
At this initial event, subject matter experts from the United States Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, the York County District Attorney’s Office, the Anti-Defamation League, and other local law enforcement identified federal and state criminal hate crime statutes. The audience was made up of groups of community leaders, civil rights advocates and organizations, and religious leaders of various faiths. Presenters highlighted differences between hate crimes versus hate incidents and provided options for responding to hate incidents when situations do not constitute a federal or state crime. Presenters also distinguished unlawful conduct from protected First Amendment activity, including identifying protected speech versus speech that advocates violence or encourages people to commit hate crimes.
As part of its United Against Hate programming, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to collaborate with communities across the Middle District of Pennsylvania to expand connections with those communities, further hate crimes prevention efforts, and encourage more people to report hate crimes and hate incidents.
Those who believe they are subject to hate crimes or incidents should contact local law enforcement and the FBI. Members of the public may report possible civil rights violations at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violations to the Civil Rights coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by calling 717-614-4911 or emailing [email protected].
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Scranton Man Sentenced to 36 Months’ Imprisonment for Acting as Courier in A Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Arnaldo Caban-Soto, age 29, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to 36 months’ imprisonment and a 3-year term of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on November 13, 2021, Caban-Soto was surveilled to a residence in Scranton, where he took possession of a package that authorities suspected contained a significant quantity of illegal drugs. Following a motor vehicle stop, Caban-Soto was detained while a search warrant was obtained for the package. Inside the package, authorities located approximately 3 Kilograms of cocaine. Further investigation revealed that the package was shipped to Northeastern Pennsylvania from Puerto Rico, and that Caban-Soto’s role in the drug trafficking conspiracy was to transport the cocaine to a location in New York where it would be packaged for further distribution.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Scranton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Wilkes-Barre Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dexter Yard, age 34, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on August 17, 2021, in Luzerne County, Yard distributed fentanyl and cocaine, possessed methamphetamine for further distribution, possessed a .38 Special handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Yard is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The investigation was conducted by the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun
violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Under federal law, for the drug charges, Yard faces a maximum sentence of twenty years, a term of supervised release and a fine. For the firearms charges, Yard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other sentence, a maximum sentence of life, a term of supervised release and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Tobyhanna Man Charged with Being A Felon in Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Steven D. Brinson, age 32, of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on diverse dates in December 2021 and January and March 2022, Brinson possessed firearms, including a non-serialized AR-style “ghost gun,” and ammunition, despite having a prior felony conviction.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Gallagher are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Pike County Man Charged with Possession of Fentanyl at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Stephen M. Smith, age 42, of Bushkill, Pennsylvania, was charged on November 9, 2022, by criminal information with possession of fentanyl at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on August 29, 2022, Smith was stopped in his vehicle by Park Rangers at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and was found to be illegally in possession of packets of fentanyl.
The charge against Smith resulted from an investigation conducted by Park Rangers from the National Park Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
Under federal law, the maximum penalty for possession of controlled substances on federal property is up to one year in prison. The charge also carries a minimum fine of $1000. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Inmate at United States Penitentiary at Canaan Charged with Assault on Another InmateRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jordan Anderson, age 27, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary, Canaan, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 15, 2022, by a federal grand jury for assaulting another inmate and possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on May 10, 2022, Anderson assaulted another inmate with a sharpened piece of metal commonly known as a “shank.”
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Wormleysburg Man Sentenced for Theft from Federal Courthouse Construction SiteRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gontaryk, age 47, of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, to 18 months of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Wilson also ordered Gontaryk to pay $9,919.61 in restitution.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gontaryk stole $9,919.61 worth of construction materials belonging to the United States from the site of the U.S. Courthouse being constructed in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 11, 2021. The following day, he sold copper and brass construction materials that he had stolen at a metal scrapyard located in Pottsville, PA.
Gontaryk also faces an additional pending charge for stealing and retaining construction materials from the courthouse construction site in March 2022. Gontaryk has pleaded not guilty to that offense and is awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Stroudsburg Man Sentenced to 24 Months’ Imprisonment for Heroin and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 10, 2022, United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Keith Parson, age 50, of Stroudsburg, PA, to 24 months’ imprisonment and a 3-year term of supervised release, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from approximately November 2020 until November 2021, in Monroe County, Parson distributed street level quantities of a substance containing heroin and fentanyl, including from his residence in Stroudsburg. On November 10, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Parson’s residence and authorities located approximately 5 grams of a substance containing heroin and fentanyl, along with packaging materials and other items consistent with both drug use and distribution.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its state and local law enforcement partners in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Lackawanna County Man Sentenced to 132 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 3, 2022, United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion sentenced Douglas Richard Spencer, age 40, of Moscow, Pennsylvania, to 132 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, on June 9, 2021, in Lackawanna County, Spencer possessed with intent to distribute approximately 190 grams of actual methamphetamine. Additionally, Spencer, a previously convicted felon, unlawfully possessed five firearms, including an un-serialized 9mm “ghost gun,” all of which were seized pursuant to a residential search warrant.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Assistant United States Attorney Jeffery St John prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun
violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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White Haven Woman Sentenced to Probation for Conspiring to Deal in Explosive Materials Without A LicenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Danielle Condron, age 35, of White Haven, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to two years’ probation by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for conspiracy to deal in explosive materials without a license.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Condron previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. As part of her guilty plea, Condron admitted that between June 2017 and September of 2018, Condron, along with her two co-defendants, agreed to sell commercial grade fireworks without a license under Chapter 40 of Title 18 of the United States Code. In total, the conspiracy was responsible for distributing more than 250 pounds of explosives in the form of commercial grade fireworks.
Condron’s co-defendants, Glen Matra and Kevin Condron, are presently pending trial.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Connecticut State Police, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 93 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Aaron Walter Gray, age 37, of Ashland, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 93 months’ imprisonment by United States Chief District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Gray previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. In June of 2020, Gray failed to appear in Schuylkill County Court for previous drug and firearm charges and an arrest warrant was issued.
In April of 2021, members of the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Task Force and United States Marshals executed an arrest warrant for Gray at an Airbnb rental property in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. Gray was found in possession of fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, a Glock 21 .45 caliber pistol, various pistol magazines and pistol ammunition, small quantities of other controlled substances, and over $7,000 in cash.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshals Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office, the Snyder County District Attorney’s Office, the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force, and the Frackville Borough Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun
violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of opioids. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Native of Mexico Indicted on Illegal Reentry ChargeRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Farias Aquino-Vargas, age 43, of Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of illegal reentry.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Aquino-Vargas was removed from the United States on December 7, 2020, through Brownsville, Texas, and it is alleged that he reentered the United States without first obtaining legal permission to do so. The indictment also alleges that on September 12, 2022, Aquino-Vargas was encountered in York, Pennsylvania.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 2 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Cairnbrook Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Cairnbrook, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
Vicky Wagoner, age 40, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.
In connection with the guilty plea, from on or about November 9, 2021, Wagner did possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Wagoner.
Cogan Station Man Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Devon T. Buck, age 34, of Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 1, 2022, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann to two years of probation and a $3,000 fine for attempting to evade income taxes. Chief Judge Brann also ordered Buck to pay restitution in the amount of $203,324 to the IRS.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Buck operated a landscaping business called DCL Landscaping and for the calendar years 2015 through 2019, Buck attempted to evade $203,324 in federal income taxes. Buck prepared and delivered business invoices to DCL customers requesting that they make checks for landscaping services payable to Buck personally, instead of DCL, Buck asked customers to not place the DCL name on their checks, and he provided DCL invoices to customers which included an instruction to make their payments payable to Buck individually. From 2015 through 2019, Buck diverted approximately $677,877 of DCL receipts by cashing customer checks rather than depositing them into a business bank account, and he deposited only $240,749 of customer payments into the DCL business bank account during that period. He provided fraudulent business summaries to his tax return preparer for use in preparing IRS Form 1040 income tax returns and Schedule C statements of business receipts and expenses, which falsely underreported DCL gross receipts and evaded the payment of federal income taxes.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel prosecuted the case.
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Berwick Bank Officer Sentenced to 12 Months’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Matthew W. Mensinger, age 49, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Matthew W. Brann, to 12 months of imprisonment for perpetrating a scheme to obtain bank loans through false statements.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Mensinger was the Chief Lending Officer of a Berwick, Pennsylvania-based financial institution. Between approximately November 2011 and June 2020, Mensinger persuaded family members and business owners to obtain approximately $690,000 in loans from his financial institution, by submitting false loan applications purportedly for small business purposes and home mortgages. Mensinger, in turn, authorized and facilitated the loan approvals in his position as a financial institution officer. In fact, however, the individuals provided the money to Mensinger, who did not qualify to obtain the loans in his own right, and who promised that he would repay the loans.
In addition to Mensinger’s sentence of imprisonment, Chief Judge Brann also ordered him to perform 30 hours of community service, and to pay the remaining restitution owed to the financial institution, of over $290,000.
The case was investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo prosecuted the case.
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Waschko’s Pharmacy to Pay $210,000 for Recordkeeping Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Waschko’s Pharmacy, located in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay the United States $210,000 in civil penalties for allegedly failing to comply with recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act.
The Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. sections 801 et seq. (CSA), was passed to combat illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications. The CSA’s recordkeeping and prescribing requirements are designed to prevent the diversion of controlled substances for illegal purposes. The CSA is enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division, whose mission is to prevent, detect, and investigate the diversion of controlled pharmaceuticals and listed chemicals from legitimate sources while ensuring adequate and uninterrupted supply for legitimate medical, commercial, and scientific needs. Under the CSA, entities registered with the DEA who purchase, distribute, dispense, transfer, or sell controlled substances must comply with inventory and documentation requirements, and are subject to compliance audits.
Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, both maintain complete and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of by the registrant and promptly report any thefts or significant losses. These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting, and distribution of controlled substances. Violations of the record-keeping requirements subject DEA registrants to civil monetary penalties.
The present civil investigation stemmed from a report alleging actual diversion. A DEA inspection revealed that, between August 2019 and August 2021, Waschko’s Pharmacy failed to keep complete, timely, and accurate inventories and records regarding the receipt and dispensing of Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances, including but not limited to oxycodone, amphetamine salts, buprenorphine/naloxone, and alprazolam. As a result of Waschko’s Pharmacy’s alleged actions and inactions, thousands of doses of controlled substances went unaccounted for. Waschko’s Pharmacy cooperated with the investigators and has since been placed under new ownership and hired a new pharmacist-in-charge. This settlement addresses the independent obligation of Waschko’s Pharmacy to ensure it has systems in place adequate to prevent improper dispensing, as required by 21 U.S.C. §§ 827, 842, and associated regulations.
“The requirements to keep complete and accurate records at the pharmacy level are not merely a bookkeeping practice; rather, they are crucial measures intended and designed to keep our communities safe from the diversion and potential abuse of prescription drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “Our office is committed to working collaboratively with our agency counterparts to ensure pharmacies in this district are doing their part to address the national opioid crisis, and I commend the owners of Waschko’s Pharmacy for realizing the seriousness of these requirements, recognizing gaps in their practices, and putting measures in place to protect their legitimate dispensing from diversion in the future.”
“Pharmacies are entrusted with the proper dispensing and safeguarding of powerful prescription drugs such as oxycodone, buprenorphine, and naloxone. With that responsibility comes the expectation that pharmacies can properly account for these same drugs,” said Thomas Hodnett, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Philadelphia Field Division. “Civil settlements like this one are a tool for insuring compliance with the requirements of the Controlled Substances Act and to prevent the loss of these drugs.”
This Settlement Agreement is neither an admission of liability by the pharmacy nor a concession by the United States that its claims are not well founded.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division. The investigation was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Harlan W. Glasser and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Red Lion Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on October 24, 2022, Waylon Hutcheson, age 22, of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hutcheson pleaded guilty on October 26, 2021, to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and receipt or possession of a firearm made in violation of the National Firearms Act. The sentence is a result of an investigation into the sale of drugs from Hutcheson’s home. Following “controlled purchases” of marijuana from Hutcheson, a warrant was executed, and he was found in possession of marijuana, oxycodone, THC, U.S. Currency, and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Police also recovered three self-made 9mm handguns with no serial numbers, a .22 caliber long rifle, three silencers, and a 30-round magazine.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Harrisburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Failing to Collect and Pay Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Dary T. Son, age 36, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo to failing to collect and pay over employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from June 2015 through August 2019, Son, the owner of a Pennsylvania-based temporary staffing company, DS Agency, failed to collect and pay on behalf of her employees approximately $591,822.99 in taxes owed to the IRS. She also failed to pay to the IRS an equivalent amount that she owed as their employer.
From 2015 to 2019, DS Agency received and cashed checks from Son Associates for providing workers in the total amount of over $7.7 million. Rather than depositing these payments in a bank account, Dary Son cashed these checks at a check cashing business in Harrisburg, from 2015 to mid-2017. Starting in 2018, Dary Son regularly made trips to a check cashing business in Philadelphia, where Dary Son cashed about $3 million in checks in less than a year.
The workers employed by Dary Son and her family member’s companies, worked regularly at several food manufacturing facilities in and around the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Several of them were transported to their work sites by Dary Son, and they were generally paid in cash.
Dary Son never withheld any federal, Social Security, Medicare, or state taxes from her employees’ income. She likewise did not pay her employer portion of these taxes. As a result, she is responsible for $1,183,646.25 in unpaid federal taxes, which she has agreed to pay in restitution as part of her plea agreement.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigations Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty for this offense under federal law is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Harrisburg Bar Owner Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Saqueena Williams, a/k/a "Queenie," age 46, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 27, 2022, to 20 years' imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner for cocaine trafficking and weapons offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, in November 2021, a jury convicted Williams of drug trafficking and possessing guns in furtherance of drug trafficking. On February 1, 2018, law enforcement officers seized drugs and guns during a court authorized search of her home and other properties associated with Williams and her coconspirator, Nyree Letterlough, age 51, of Harrisburg.
Williams, the operator of Queenies Café, was convicted after a week-long jury trial of running a drug trafficking conspiracy from 2012 to 2018. The jury found that Williams trafficked in excess of five kilograms of cocaine, and that she possessed guns in furtherance of her drug trafficking operation.
Williams also surrendered her interests in Queenies Café, located in Harrisburg, as well as the liquor license and other properties.
Her coconspirator, Letterlough was also convicted at the above referenced trial and was sentenced on August 29, 2022, to 111 months’ imprisonment. Letterlough surrendered her interests in Grams Grill, located in Harrisburg, and another real estate property.
At Williams’ sentencing, Judge Conner resolved issues pertaining to the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines after hearing argument from the parties. The sentence of 20 years in prison imposed by Judge Conner was within the sentencing guideline range and the applicable mandatory minimum sentence required by law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Harrisburg Police Bureau, and numerous other law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Consiglio and Samuel Dalke prosecuted the case.
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Scranton Man Sentenced to 57 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jean Hernandez, age 33, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 57 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for a drug trafficking offense.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Hernandez previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. As part of his guilty plea, Hernandez admitted to that in between April and May of 2021, he had knowingly received multiple mail packages each containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine at his Scranton residence, with the intent that the cocaine would later be distributed.
In addition to the fifty-seven-month imprisonment sentence, Judge Mannion ordered Hernandez to serve four years of supervised release upon his release from prison.
The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Scranton Police Department, and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Scranton Man Sentenced to 12 Months’ Imprisonment for Passing Counterfeit United States Currency at Luzerne County CasinosRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Askia Riddick, age 25, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for passing counterfeit federal reserve notes.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Riddick passed a total of $1,800 in counterfeit federal reserve notes at the Mohegan Sun Casino and the Mt. Airy Casino between November and December of 2021.
Judge Mannion also ordered that Riddick serve two years of supervised release upon his release from custody, and that Riddick pay $1000 in restitution for related conduct to the Wind Creek Casino located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office (NJ), and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.
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Scranton Man Sentenced to 12 Months’ Imprisonment for Passing Counterfeit United States Currency at Luzerne County CasinosRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Askia Riddick, age 25, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for passing counterfeit federal reserve notes.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Riddick passed a total of $1,800 in counterfeit federal reserve notes at the Mohegan Sun Casino and the Mt. Airy Casino between November and December of 2021.
Judge Mannion also ordered that Riddick serve two years of supervised release upon his release from custody, and that Riddick pay $1000 in restitution for related conduct to the Wind Creek Casino located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office (NJ), and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonathan Orlando Fontanez, age 37, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday October 26, 2022, to 40 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for conspiracy and possessing with intent to distribute in excess of 5 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Fontanez was part of a drug trafficking organization distributing large quantities of cocaine, and fentanyl tablets disguised as 30 milligram oxycodone pills. On September 22, 2021, a federal search warrant executed on Fontanez’s residence, as well as search warrants served on other locations related to the drug trafficking organization, resulted in the seizure of nearly $100,000 in cash, approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills and more than 10 kilograms of cocaine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Allentown Man Sentenced to 26 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonathan Livers, age 35, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced this week, to 26 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for distributing heroin.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Livers was part of a drug trafficking organization that was trafficking quantities of heroin acquired from New York City and brought to Allentown, Pennsylvania. After arriving in Allentown, members of the drug trafficking organization sold the heroin in and around Allentown as well as areas in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Livers was responsible for distributing between 40 and 60 grams of heroin.
Codefendants of Livers received the following sentences:
- Robert Birch, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams and more of heroin, and was sentenced to 72 months’ imprisonment followed by four years supervised release;
- Jessica Schafer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, and was sentenced to two years’ probation with a condition requiring 6 months’ home confinement;
- Deovonie Birch, a/k/a Deovonie Johnson, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, and was sentenced to time-served (31 months and 12 days) imprisonment followed by three years supervised release with a condition requiring six months of home confinement; and,
- Dysheim Birch, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, and was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Wormleysburg Man Re-Indicted for Stealing Construction Materials from New U.S. Courthouse in HarrisburgRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Gontaryk, age 47, of Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on one count of theft of government property.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that between March 6, 2022 and March 14, 2022, Gontaryk stole and then retained construction materials belonging to the United States from the site of the U.S. Courthouse being constructed near the intersection of Reily Street and North 6th Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Gontaryk was previously indicted in January 2022 for committing a similar offense—stealing construction materials from the U.S. Courthouse construction site—on October 11, 2021. He pleaded guilty to the October 2021 offense in May 2022, and he is currently awaiting sentencing.
In March 2022, Gontaryk’s bail was revoked, and he was ordered to be detained after being arrested for committing the new offense.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for theft of government property is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The defendant may also face an enhanced penalty because this offense was committed while he was on pretrial release for the earlier charge. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Election Day ProgramRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced today that Criminal Division Chief Bruce D. Brandler, Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) Michael Consiglio, Geoffrey MacArthur, and James Buchanan will lead the efforts of this Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election.
Criminal Chief Brandler has been appointed to oversee and lead the District’s Election Day Program. AUSAs Consiglio, Buchanan, and MacArthur will serve as the District Election Officers (DEO) for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in our Harrisburg, Scranton, and Williamsport Offices. In that capacity they are responsible for overseeing the handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Karam. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Karam stated that: “The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. Fair elections depend in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, our DEOs will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. AUSA/DEO Consiglio can be reached by the public at the Harrisburg Office number: 717-221-4482; AUSA/DEO Buchanan can be reached at the Scranton Office number: 570-348-2800; and AUSA/DEO MacArthur can be reached at the Williamsport Office number: 570-326-1935.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 215-418-4000.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
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Scranton Man Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Conspiring to Straw Purchase 29 FirearmsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON –The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Gregory Dehart, age 32, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 2 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion for firearms offenses.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Dehart previously entered a plea of guilty to conspiring to make false statements during the purchase of 29 firearms. From December 22, 2019, to January 11, 2021, Dehart conspired with two other individuals to lie to employees at three Lackawanna County federally licensed firearms dealers, J & G Sport Center in Throop, Roll Call, LLC, in Scranton, PA, and Dick’s Sporting Goods in Dickson City, PA, as well as Piestrak’s Gun Shop, located in Luzerne County, in order to purchase a total of 29 firearms. Dehart was not the actual buyer of any of the firearms and he and his co-defendant purchased the firearms on behalf of others. Following the purchase of the firearms, Dehart would then transport the firearms to the actual buyers, who paid Dehart for the price of the firearms and a fee to making the purchases on their behalf. Of the 29 purchased firearms, three have been recovered in connection to criminal offenses in Baltimore, Maryland, and New York City.
Dehart was indicted with the following codefendants:
- Samantha Piasecki, was sentenced on June 8, 2022, to time served (137 days) to be followed by one-year supervised release for making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, aid and abet; and,
- Mitchell Bethea, pleaded guilty on May 20, 2022, to making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, aid and abet and is awaiting sentencing.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, the Scranton Police Department, and the Newport Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Gallagher prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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New York Man Sentenced to Five Years’ Imprisonment for Monroe County Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Muse, age 44, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced on October 26, 2022, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to five years’ imprisonment for armed bank robbery.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Muse previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mannion and admitted to committing an armed robbery of the ESSA Bank, located in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, on September 16, 2021. During the robbery Muse pointed what appeared to be a firearm (later discovered to be an air pistol) at the bank tellers. Muse stole approximately $9,031 in the robbery.
The charge resulted from an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Corwin Cordell Garrett, age 46, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 24 months in prison to be followed by 6 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani, for distributing heroin.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Garrett was intercepted during a DEA wire investigation communicating with coconspirators regarding drug trafficking of heroin in the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania area. Garrett also sold heroin to a confidential informant who was working with agents as part of the investigation. Garrett was responsible for distributing between 80 and 100 grams of heroin.
Garrett was indicted with the following codefendants:
- John Hawk, a/k/a “Righteous,” was sentenced on July 26, 2022, to time-served to be followed by six years supervised release for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute heroin;
- Al-Salaam I. Hale, a/k/a “Billz,” pleaded guilty on April 14, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin and distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and is awaiting sentencing; and,
- Alsherik Ramadam Moate, pleaded guilty on May 14, 2021, to distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd K. Hinkley prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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